Smart Plugs: How to Turn Any Device ‘Smart’

Turn any equipment in your home into home automation

We have already told you about many teams that have this technology and why you should domotize your home to facilitate your day-to-day tasks. But, as we mentioned, there are other devices that do not have it for various reasons.

To solve this problem there are smart plugs, which will allow us to provide any device in our home with certain home automation functions. Go on, we will tell you more about it.

What is a smart plug and how does it work?

These are perhaps the most obvious questions that may be going through your mind. These are gadgets that “domotize the indomotizable” , allowing us to perform different functions with them such as: its remote control, programming the on and off or knowing the electrical consumption of that equipment, among other uses.

As for the installation and operation, it is extremely simple since, in most cases, it is a mere complement to the current connector of our home. We will only have to connect it to the current and, to the connector that it incorporates in its upper part, plug in the equipment that we want to control. Then we will connect to it following the instructions of the corresponding application (according to the manufacturer) and we can start to control this gadget remotely. From your app we can carry out all the actions and configurations that, depending on the model, we are allowed to do.

Smart switches, a very valid alternative

Another option that gets a little out of the smart plug concept is smart switches . These teams are physically different and are not so easy to use, since they require technical installation on our part. Although the operation is practically identical to that of a smart socket: remotely operate equipment and control certain characteristics of them.

This type of device has two main benefits:

• Aesthetics : since we do not need to have an extra device attached to our home connector. We can place them in a strategic place so that it is not in sight.
• Price : in most cases they are much cheaper equipment than smart plugs, since we do not have that ease of connection and the manufacturer does not care so much about its design.

Therefore, it is up to you to choose one of these devices or a “traditional” smart connector. The details to consider when choosing one model or another are practically the same in both. Although you should not forget the assembly section.

How to choose the best smart plug

Now that you know what one of these devices for your home is and how it works, it’s time to talk about all those details that you should take into account before buying one.

Size

As you can imagine, these devices occupy an “extra” surface on the current connectors of our house. Therefore, depending on your particular situation, they may end up bothering you to connect other equipment to nearby plugs or even end up completely blocking access to other connectors. In this case you have two possible solutions:

• Opt for the most compact models. The dimensions are included in the packaging of these devices.
• Choose models that include more than one connector. We tell you more about this alternative below.

Number of connected devices

There are smart plugs that allow you to connect more than one device at a time and also control them remotely separately. If one of your limitations is space, you can choose one of these options, or directly select “thieves” or smart strips.

Amperage

Another very important detail is the intensity of the current that we need from this adapter. It is not the same as we want to control a device such as a lamp or, in the extreme case, a large appliance such as a washing machine or a refrigerator.

Each piece of equipment requires different power (measured in watts or “W”) and intensity (measured in amps or “A”). So, first analyze the specifications of what you want to control, the details of which you will find in its own manual, and then choose the smart plug that suits these characteristics.

Connectivity type

The type of connectivity is somewhat relevant. There are several possibilities, although the most common are:

• Connection via Bluetooth : this is the simplest method, since we will only have to locate it among the devices with said connectivity to manage it through its application. The positive point of this option is that, if we have a cut in the WiFi connection at home, we can continue to operate the equipment without problems. However, the negative point is that its radius of action is much smaller, so do not intend to separate yourself from the plug much to be able to use it.
• Connection via WiFi : synchronization with our phone is done through the router of our house. The main problem of these is that, if the connection fails, we will not be able to control the connector until said problem is solved.
• Connection via Zigbee : There are protocols such as the Zigbee or the Z-wabe -although the first is the most widely used- that allow us to manage smart plugs. This protocol is used to make a direct connection with our phone so as not to depend on the connectivity of the router. In that case, if we had a cut in our WiFi signal, we could manage the connector since, as I was saying, the connection is direct. Its main point against is that the radius of action is higher than that of Bluetooth but less than WiFi, so we must be close to it in order to manage it.

Wizard Compatibility

Another possible useful function of these devices is the compatibility with assistants. It is not something completely decisive but it does make things easier.

If this compatibility exists, we can manage it by voice commands with Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri. In the case of Apple‘s assistant, Siri, we will need that this plug is compatible with its own protocol. If you have an iPhone you need to know everything about HomeKit if you want to manage your plugs from the phone.

Added functions

In addition to the details that we have already mentioned, there are some “extra” functionalities that you can find in some models and that provide certain advantages:

• Control outside the home : if your plug is compatible with this option, you can handle it when you are not at home. This will allow you to check if you have accidentally left a device turned on, activate lights or other equipment before arriving, and ultimately, be able to interact with it whenever and wherever you want.
• Monitoring of energy consumption : there are some models that give us the possibility of monitoring electricity consumption by passing through it. This is very useful if you want to save some euro at the end of the month by activating or deactivating it at certain times.
• Own automation or IFTTT : this is perhaps one of the most interesting functions. Whether it is our own (through the manufacturer’s app), or if we do it through third-party apps such as IFTTT, performing automations allows us to program certain functions. For example, we can have a computer turn off at night if we don’t need it to stay on during that period.

3 best smart plugs to consider

Now that you know everything about these types of devices, you are ready to choose the option that best suits your use. We show you three models that you should consider when buying one of these devices.

Philips Hue Smart Plug

Connectivity: zigbee (Philips bridge) and Bluetooth | Type: connector | Assistants: Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri

The Philips Smart Plug is one of the most complete smart plugs on the market. In the connectivity section it has the possibility of being managed through Bluetooth, or through the zigbee protocol using the brand’s own bridge.

Regarding its compatibility with assistants, it includes the three most used: Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri

The best

• Compact design
• Wizard Compatibility

Worst

• Despite having good connectivity, it does not have a direct connection to WiFi

Koogeek smart strip

Connectivity: WiFi | Type: power strip | Assistants: Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri

The Koogeek company has this smart strip if you want to control several devices from the same connector. In addition to having 3 plugs, each with its own manual switch, it incorporates three USB that we can also control remotely.

From your own app, we will have available the electrical consumption of all these connectors.

The best

• Integrated USB plugs and connectors
• Wizard Compatibility
• Monitoring of electricity consumption

Worst

• Somewhat high price

VYNBDA Smart Switch

Connectivity: WiFi | Type: switch | Assistants: Google Assistant and Alexa

In this case, we have the VYNBDA Smart Switch smart switch option . It works through WiFi connection and is compatible with both Google Asistant and Alexa.

Although it is not compatible with the Apple assistant, we can control it from our iPhone or Android through its app. From it, we can also manage it from anywhere outside the home and perform automations with it.

The best

• Price
• Wizard Compatibility

Worst

• Manual installation

Choose the best smart plug for you

Now it’s your turn, you must make a choice. You already know everything you need to know about this type of equipment and the characteristics that best suit the way you use it.

If you want something simple, straightforward, that doesn’t require complex connections or mounting, we recommend that you opt for the “traditional” smart adapter option. And, if you want to be safe, try to acquire the most complete model possible like the one that we have shown you in this selection.